Labour Party

Former parliamentary roles

• Senior Government Whip 1984-1987
• Associate Minister of Finance 24 August 1987-11 August 1989
• Minister, Social Welfare 24 August 1987-2 November 1990
• Minister in Charge of War Pensions 24 August 1987-2 November 1990
• Associate Minister of Health 11 August 1989-2 November 1990
• Associate Minister of Labour 11 August 1989-2 November 1990
• Acting Minister Responsible for Accident Insurance 10 December 1999-27 March 2001
• Treasurer 10 December 1999-15 August 2002
• Minister of Revenue 10 December 1999-19 October 2005
• Minister of Finance 10 December 1999-19 November 2008
• Leader of the House 10 December 1999-3 October 2008
• Deputy Prime Minister 15 August 2002-19 November 2008
• Acting Minister of Statistics 15 October 2004-21 December 2004
• Acting Minister of Statistics 28 February 2005-19 October 2005
• Attorney General 28 February 2005-19 October 2005
• Minister of Tertiary Education 19 October 2005-5 November 2007
• Attorney-General 21 March 2006-19 November 2008
• Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations 5 November 2007-19 November 2008
• Deputy Chairperson, Standing Orders Committee 15 June 2006-3 October 2008
• Deputy Chairperson, Privileges Committee 23 February 2006-3 October 2008
• Chairperson, Privileges Committee 17 December 2008-30 April 2009
• Spokesperson, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations 8 November 2008-30 April 2009

Personal details

Born 5 February 1945, London, married with two daughters

Education/qualifications

• Christ's College, Christchurch
• MA, University of Canterbury
• PhD, Edinburgh University

Career

• Lecturer and senior lecturer, Otago University 1971-1981
• Visiting Fellow, Australian National University 1975-1976
• Published author
• Member for St Kilda 28 November 1981-6 September 1996
• Member for Dunedin South 12 October 1996-18 October 1999
• List member of Parliament 27 November 1999-30 April 2009

Party activities

• Member, Labour Party 1974-
• Member, Labour Party Executive 1976-1981
• Member, Labour Party Council 1976-
• Member of Parliament, 28 November 1981-30 April 2009

Leisure activities

Enjoys music, reading, house renovation, golf